An Educational Approach to Computationally Modeling Dynamical Systems

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Bibliographic Details
Title: An Educational Approach to Computationally Modeling Dynamical Systems
Language: English
Authors: Chodroff, Leah, O'Neal, Tim M., Long, David A.
Source: Journal of Chemical Education. Sep 2009 86(9):1072-1076.
Availability: Division of Chemical Education of the American Chemical Society. Subscription Department, P.O. Box 1267, Bellmawr, NJ 08099-1267. Tel: 800-691-9846; Tel: 856-931-5825; Fax: 856-931-4115; e-mail: jchemed@egpp.com; Web site: http://www.jce.divched.org
Peer Reviewed: Y
Physical Description: PDF
Page Count: 5
Publication Date: 2009
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Higher Education
Descriptors: Research Problems, Chemistry, Science Instruction, Computation, Visualization, Models, Science Activities, Scientific Principles, Simulation, Science Experiments, Student Projects, Undergraduate Study, College Science, Computer Software, Computer Uses in Education, Thermodynamics, Equations (Mathematics)
ISSN: 0021-9584
Abstract: Chemists have used computational science methodologies for a number of decades and their utility continues to be unabated. For this reason we developed an advanced lab in computational chemistry in which students gain understanding of general strengths and weaknesses of computation-based chemistry by working through a specific research problem. The course introduced basic computational strategies and the students worked in several different areas (e.g., visualization, structure determination, modeling of reaction dynamics). During a student-selected, semester-long project modeling and exploring the dynamics associated with an oscillating reaction, students developed recognition and understanding of some of the complexities involved in computational work, as well as awareness of how simulation, theory, and experiment complement one another. (Contains 2 tables and 2 figures.)
Abstractor: As Provided
Number of References: 13
Entry Date: 2009
Access URL: https://jchemed.chem.wisc.edu/Journal/Issues/2009/Sep/abs1072.html
Accession Number: EJ853496
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:Chemists have used computational science methodologies for a number of decades and their utility continues to be unabated. For this reason we developed an advanced lab in computational chemistry in which students gain understanding of general strengths and weaknesses of computation-based chemistry by working through a specific research problem. The course introduced basic computational strategies and the students worked in several different areas (e.g., visualization, structure determination, modeling of reaction dynamics). During a student-selected, semester-long project modeling and exploring the dynamics associated with an oscillating reaction, students developed recognition and understanding of some of the complexities involved in computational work, as well as awareness of how simulation, theory, and experiment complement one another. (Contains 2 tables and 2 figures.)
ISSN:0021-9584